Video game adapted to promote youth mental health for Inuit in Canada

The video game was adapted by changing the Maori environment, symbols and costumes, above, to Inuit ones below. (Pinnguaq)
Young people in Canada’s northern territory of Nunavut helped adapt a video game designed to help users cope with depression and anxiety. The video was originally created for Maori youth in New Zealand.

“In that context, it was shown that the youth really benefited from the game and it was shown to be quite equivalent to face-to-face counselling,” says Yvonne Bohr, a psychology professor and head of the project. The game was shown to Inuit youth in Nunavut to see if it was effective in helping them.

“The youth found the game useful, felt they were able to use the strategies. But the comment was that they would prefer a game that actually represented their own context,” says Bohr. “They weren’t too happy with the New Zealand accent and the scenery in the game, as it didn’t speak to them.”

Prof. Yvonne Bohr says the project was conceived after the government of Nunavut asked for ideas on remote interventions to help Inuit youth.

(Click to listen to the interview with Prof. Yvonne Bohr)

Youth input used to transform game

And that’s where the idea was born to apply for funding to adapt the game. Young Inuit leaders were canvassed for their opinions on changes and the game now has Arctic scenery, Arctic animals, Inuit symbols and costumes. What remains and will require further funding is to voice the game in English and in Inuktitut.

Professor Yvonne Bohr. (Horst Herget)

“Youth were really happy to see their ideas on the screen,” and it was very exciting,” says Bohr. “And it was very exciting to be able to show them that our tech partner, Pinnguaq…had been able to transform their ideas into actual images in the game.

“They all recognized their input and felt that this was a game that really now represented their culture. But it wasn’t just Inuit culture. It was also their own.”

“Youth were really happy to see their ideas on the screen,” and it was very exciting,” says Bohr. “And it was very exciting to be able to show them that our tech partner, Pinnguaq…had been able to transform their ideas into actual images in the game.

“They all recognized their input and felt that this was a game that really now represented their culture. But it wasn’t just Inuit culture. It was also their own.”

A view of Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, Canada. Nunavut’s communities often have limited mental health resources. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Hopes game will be completed by September

Bohr hopes the game will be finished and ready for more testing by youth in September 2019. Once that is done she would like to find funding for the creation of another Inuit video game from scratch.

The goal is for the game to help Inuit youth who have higher levels anxiety, depression and suicide than do non-Indigenous youth. And because they live in remote regions, most have little access to mental health counsellors.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: New app teaches Inuktitut through song, Eye on the Arctic

Russia: Video game based on “Kursk” submarine disaster to be released, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Gender stereotypes behind high suicide rate, Radio Sweden

United States: Alaska’s suicide rates jump 13 percent, report shows, Alaska Public Media

Lynn Desjardins, Radio Canada International

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Lynn has dedicated her working life to journalism. After decades in the field, she still believes journalism to be a pillar of democracy and she remains committed to telling stories she believes are important or interesting. Lynn loves Canada and embraces all seasons: skiing, skating, and sledding in winter, hiking, swimming and playing tennis in summer and running all the time. She is a voracious consumer of Canadian literature, public radio programs and classical music. Family and friends are most important. Good and unusual foods are fun. She travels when possible and enjoys the wilderness.

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